It’s 1891 and Delia Ross is an actress who has decided to shuffle off into the inquiry business. She doesn’t have a lot of clients—in fact, it’s just the one—but that doesn’t stop her from finding someone murdered in her office.

This book is the second of a series. Usually I don’t do this, but as it seemed as though it didn’t hinge TOO much on the first book, I decided to go ahead and read it. I’m glad I did! There’s touches of comedic bits in it (like the scene where the monkey stole a hat and suddenly everyone’s being knocked over and fighting one another), and I wanted to know exactly what was going on with the multiple killings. This isn’t the type of mystery where you get clues and are thus able to solve it alongside the detective (alas!) but it was still entertaining.

The style is different than what I’m accustomed to; I can’t name it, but at first I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it, and then I did. I suppose I would label it a “wry” tone. For example: “”…While I might not carry a gun, I do have a very good brain.” Delia, who did carry a gun, was tempted to shoot Daisy with her little pearl-handled over-under derringer.” The city and surroundings, too, play an important part of the book; various shops are vividly described, and clothing men and women are attired in is painstakingly described.

I’m not sure how much of this is known from the first book, but I loved when Maude dropped the bombshell on Daisy at the end. I just enjoyed Maude’s character, period. She was so feisty and fun, and her interactions with Mick? Impeccable! Really, I liked the whole cast of characters, and the story’s style of alternating seamlessly between them helped to get a good feel for their personalities.

I feel like I NEED to get the first book now, and I’ll wait eagerly for the third volume, too!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the second in the series and a fabulously enjoyable read. It had interesting an fun characters which engaged the reader and carried the plot.
It was n Agatha Christie style story with wit and humour that I truly enjoyed.

I have received a free copy of Serpent Heart by Maggie MacKeever and I write this review voluntarily. Serpent Heart is the second book of The Cobblestone Chronicles, really helps to understand who is who if you read the first novel, but in my opinion you can also read it as a stand alone. This is a novel that Agatha Christie fans would like, though not as cosy as Agatha's novels, the novel never loses the tempo and whenever you find the killer, believe me you don't find them. Delia is an actress and also a private detective in old New York, where woman rights are being suppressed. An "Ophelia" asks Delia for her help to understand what her husband is up to. But Delia soon finds herself in a murder mystery. With everyone bribing the other, everyone (including Delia herself) trying to benefit from everything, will the mystery unfold? Thanks Netgalley, the publisher, the BookBuzz and the author for providing me a free copy of this novel.

Gritty and suspenseful, this book had the kind of vintage drama that I love reading in such books. I loved Maggie and the other characters were such fun additions.

5 stars

I started to look at other books by Maggie which I enjoyed. I read book 1 of this series and I think that having read that one is a advantage. The victim in this book had been the assistant to a woman who did seances in the first book; Our heroine, in that book, had been a major aristocratic figure whereas in this book she is back to being a private detective. The young policeman is also present both fascinated and appalled by Delia's behaviour. We learn more about her sister Maude and the her strange relationship with the Irish politician. It looks like he is being implicated in the various murders. Good story very evocative of the era. I wonder if there are any more?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Serpent Heart delivers a riveting dive into the murky world of 1891 New York City. The novel weaves together a trailblazing female inquiry agent, a stubborn suffragist, and a host of intriguing characters with their own hidden agendas. The setting is vibrant and the plot is as twisted as a serpent’s path, making for an engrossing read. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic interactions between the strong-willed female protagonist and the disapproving detective, which added layers of depth and tension. This book is a wonderful blend of history and mystery, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.

🎩👀 Get ready to be whisked away to the gritty streets of 1891 NYC with Serpent Heart! This historical mystery is like a cocktail of suspense, drama, and vintage pizzazz! With a kick-butt female inquiry agent and a cast of quirky characters, it's a page-turner that’ll keep you guessing who’s playing dirty and who’s just plain dastardly. Trust me, if you love a good twist and turn in a mystery, this book’s got it all. Grab your copy and dive into the mayhem—this is one ride you don’t want to miss! 📚🔍

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the way the author wrote the dynamics between the characters, each set had spark and a tingling tension. (Maude and Mick/ Delia and Luke/ Delia and Chance). I especially enjoyed puck the parrot that made me laugh out loud. It was well written and a fun read. I would definitely recommend this book for a cozy night in with a cup of cocoa!

In Serpent Heart, Maggie MacKeever crafts an engaging period mystery filled with colorful, larger-than-life characters set in 1891 New York City. The plot kicks off with the grisly death of a woman in Delia Ross's office, thrusting the trailblazing female investigator into a world of disguises, betrayals, and multiple murders. What makes the story truly shine is its vaudeville-like charm, where exaggerated personalities and improbable situations create a lively, farcical tone. From crooked politicians to a parrot with piratical commentary, each character brings something unique to the table, making the mystery as much about the people involved as the crimes themselves. With witty writing and a mix of humor and intrigue, this second book in The Cobblestone Chronicles is an entertaining ride that perfectly balances lightheartedness with suspense.

I really liked this book. The cast of characters are so different from one another and extremely fun to read about. The characters truly carried the story because of the differences between them and how they all act, think, and speak differently and all bring different characteristics and stories to the overarching plot.

This is the second in this series and I found it to be much more entertaining than the first. The characters are still really interesting but it seemed that the plot line, action, and mystery were a little bit more developed. I enjoyed this book and the period in which it was set. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series, and would recommend this book as a period mystery with the hopes for some romance in future stories. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Thank you to Vintage Ink Press and NetGalley for an advance readers copy/

This enjoyable farce of a mystery is much like the vaudeville that suffuses its 1891 setting: exaggerated characters, improbable situations, innuendo, droll humor, and buffoonery.

Delia Ross, a 40-ish former actress, has become the first female private investigator in New York City, a provider of discreet inquiries. Her older sister, Maude, is a social reformer for women’s and children’s rights. Between them they interact with a wide range of people, all deftly drawn, from crooked politicians to questionable police, financial speculators, anti-suffrage women’s groups, scam artists, headline-seeking reporters, singers, prostitutes, and a parrot who aptly comments on situations in piratical language.

The grisly death of a woman in Delia’s office starts the story, and there are more deaths, disguises, and double crossings to come. Although there are some grim scenes, the witty writing and several rather endearing characters make this an enjoyable, light read.